Minogue's music career began as a result of her popularity as an actress in Neighbours, an Australian soap opera. She based herself in the United Kingdom after signing with PWL, and recorded her debut album Kylie with songwriting and record producers Stock, Aitken & Waterman. The album was released in 1988 and has sold over 6 million copies. Her second album, Enjoy Yourself was released in 1989. Her third album Rhythm of Love was released in 1990 and it marked a defining turning point in her music career. The album showcased a more club-orientated sound, a highly sexual look and provocative music videos. Her fourth album Let's Get to It was released in 1991, followed by her first major greatest hits compilation Greatest Hits.

Having completed Minogue's contract with PWL, she signed to Deconstruction in 1993. Her 1994 album Kylie Minogue aimed to reinvent her as a credible performer, distancing herself from her earlier work. Her most personal and experimental album to date Impossible Princess was released in 1997. It is noted for its collaborations with Manic Street Preachers, and for all lyrics being written by herself.

After disappointing sales, Minogue moved to Parlophone. In 2000, she released Light Years, it marked a return to her dance-pop roots, and revitalized her career. However, it was the 2001 album Fever, that gave her widespread international recognition. The album became the highest seller of her career. Body Language followed in 2003, and her second major greatest hits album Ultimate Kylie was released in 2004. In 2005, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, forcing her to postpone all recording commitments. In 2007, she resumed her career with the release of her tenth album X. In 2010, she released her eleventh studio album, Aphrodite. In 2012, to celebrate her twenty-fifth year in the music industry, she released her third major greatest hits album The Best of Kylie Minogue and the orchestral album The Abbey Road Sessions. In 2014, she released her twelfth studio album, Kiss Me Once, and in 2015, she released her first Christmas album; Kylie Christmas.

Minogue has won a Grammy Award and placed thirteen consecutive albums at top twenty on the UK Albums Chart. She has achieved worldwide record sales of more than 80 million.